North Dakota Rodeo Association (NDRA) competition is fierce, yet the camaraderie and family are as genuine as the sunsets across the North Dakota plains. Watford City was home to the top contestants, their families, and fans this past weekend, September 23-24, crowning state champions in each rodeo event.

Young guns and veteran competitors hit the rodeo trail, driving thousands of miles throughout the spring and summer across the state, enjoying fuel station snacks as ‘meals’ in the seat of a pickup truck, far past sundown.

Most veterans competing in the NDRA were coordinating demanding work, family, and life schedules all for their chance at preserving the western way of life and passion in their hearts for the sport they most adore: rodeo. The association offers the young guns an opportunity to advance their skills and prepare for their future, whatever that may hold. The common denominators amongst all in this association are the characteristics of North Dakota resilience, community togetherness, and a remarkable competitive drive making the NDRA an association that is flourishing.

Cole Gerhardt, high school senior at New Salem, set the stage on fire for the weekend ‘raking’ bareback horses on one of the end arena, to ‘dogging’ steers on the other, solidifying his spot and winning the NDRA Men’s All-Around Title, as well as the state championship title in the bareback riding. Gerhardt’s grandmothers and family were all there supporting him, along with the packed crowd from all over North Dakota.

Cole Gerhardt, Mens All Around Champion [Photo: Section 20 Photography]

Gerhardt’s partner in crime riding broncs across the state all summer, Carson Hildre, sophomore of Velva, was nipping at heals the entire season. Their friendship gives true meaning to the saying, ‘iron sharpens iron’. Hildre rode to a reserve state championship bareback riding title at the finals. The two cowboys said they look forward to their future representing North Dakota across the country in rodeos near and far.

Bareback Riders Carson Hildre (left) and Cole Gerhardt (right) [Photo: Tisa Peek]

Jayce Doan, Hazelton, cinched the year end steer wrestling title in a tight race amongst fellow North Dakota champion bull dogger, Scott Kleemann. It all came down to the final round when Doan stopped the clock with a run of 4.3 seconds. Doan won the finals average with 8.1 seconds on two.

Jayce Doan, Steer Wrestling Champion [Photo: Section 20 Photography]

“Rodeo is alive and well in North Dakota,” said the champion steer wrestler. “The NDRA rodeos we have where I’m from in southern Burleigh and Emmons counties are Wing and Strasburg. They do such a great job in producing, and that’s apparent in the numerous “Rodeo of the Year” awards both clubs have received. It’s a staple for the towns, and they get everyone to support and come out and enjoy the tradition of rodeo.”

Doan was emotional after learning that he won the year end title in the steer wrestling. “My horse gave me his heart all year long, and it paid off. There haven’t been many state steer wrestling champions from the east side of the river or from my area, so it made me extremely honored. I always enjoy seeing friends, family, neighbors, our summer crew from the ranch come and watch at the rodeos; I’m truly appreciative of their support,” added Doan.

Scott Hoovestol, NDRA tie down roper from Almont, is part of the unique bunch of veteran calf ropers that talk to each other before, during, and after competition like a traveling basketball team.

“We all need each other to perform at our best, and that makes us push each other. Our NDRA tie down ropers feed off this, and that’s the beauty of it. You’ll see a fellow competitor stepping into help another roper in the box or help with his horse right before his own run. At the end of the day, this unity doesn’t just happen everywhere. I’ve been competing for a long time, and this is probably the best and most positive group of guys I’ve ever had the pleasure to compete with,” explained Hoovestol.

Eva Hepper, committee member of McKenzie County Cowboys Association, explained that the best part of their rodeo and its committee is that everyone just knows their job. “We love having this rodeo, love having the great cowboys and cowgirls of North Dakota compete. Our association has done this for nearly thirty years, so we kind of got it down. It’s easier to work hard when you know it’s appreciated, and that’s the message we get from contestants: the finals rodeo is very appreciated,” commented Hepper.

Taking home the Women’s All-Around Championship was Dawn Carson of Grassy Butte. Her team of home-raised and home-trained horses, Flo, Loot, and Bee are all related. Carson won this title twenty years ago and has since been busy raising her two boys, Cannin and Cashin, alongside her husband, Ross, who sealed another win as the Reserve Champion Team Roping Heeler at the finals.

Family Champions, Dawn and Ross Carson [Photo: Tisa Peek]

The Carsons are a staple of the rodeo, roping, and horse industry across the region. Their devotion and love of the game and western heritage lives on through them and their boys. The young Carson team won the Junior High National Reserve Champion Team roping title – roping together, traveling together, and making the word ‘family’ a vital component to their name.

Brandi Guttormson White, Hazen, won the state championship in the ladies’ breakaway, making it her 8th state title in the breakaway roping. “I just bought Frosty about a month and a half ago from John Hoven of McLaughlin, S.D. It’s just been a fit,” explained the cowgirl.

Brandi White, Ladies Breakaway Champion [Photo: Section 20 Photography]

When White isn’t roping, she works at Coyote Creek Mine as a heavy equipment operator, south of Beulah and gives breakaway roping lessons to youth across the Dakotas.

A unique event that brought the crowd to their feet was the ‘Wild Pony Ride’. Younger cowboys made up of a team that involved an anchor, mugger, saddler, and rider. The team that could get their ‘very green’ horse saddled and rode across the finish line took home the championship. Three minutes and 46 seconds of thrilling action and grit took place on the arena floor Saturday night. The team of Chance and Chase Kling of Belfield and Clancy Boltz of Grassy Butte showed ‘Cowboy Town’ what cowboys are in true fashion.

Chase and Chance Kling and Clancy Boltz ‘Wild Pony Ride’ Champs [Photo: Section 20 Photography]

Chuck Chrisman of Adams County is in his 17th season of being a judge for the NDRA. “I’ve judged across the country from 4-H rodeos to high school rodeos to the professional ranks, and the NDRA is just great thing to be a part of. To keep the western life and tradition alive through rodeo and being a part of it sure keeps me happy,” stated the cowboy.

At 70 years young, Chrisman said he only foresees good things coming to the NDRA and the rodeo industry. Chrisman was a former bull rider and tie down roper in his competitive years, raised a family, and still ranches where he was born in Adams County.

“I keep judging, because the people here are the greatest,” added the cowboy with a smile.

NDRA State Champions and Reserve Champions

Bareback Riding Champion: Cole Gerhardt, Mandan Reserve: Carson Hildre, Velva

Tie Down Roping Champion: Jon Peek, Bismarck Reserve: Trey Young, Dupree, SD

Ladies Breakaway Champion: Brandi White, Hazen Reserve: Jessica Magilke, Solen

Saddle Bronc Riding Champion: Kelin Keplin, St. John Reserve: Colter Martin, Beulah

Steer Wrestling Champion: Jayce Doan, Hazelton Reserve: Parker Sandstrom, Ray

Team Roping Champions: Tucker Dale, Ryder and Jesse Fredrickson, Upham Reserve: Turner Harris, Killdeer and Ross Carson, Grassy Butte

Barrel Racing Champion: Emmy Dockter, Denhoff Reserve: Dawn Carson, Grassy Butte

Senior Men’s Breakaway: JB Lord, Menoken Reserve: Don Ell, Williston

Bull Riding Champion: Brody Nelson, Minot Reserve: John Jacobs, Alaxandria, SD

Men’s All-Around Champion: Cole Gerhardt, Mandan Reserve: JB Lord, Menoken

Ladies’ All-Around Champion: Dawn Carson, Grassy Butte Reserve: Kiarra Reiss, Dickinson

Girls’ Rookie of the Year: Faith Heim, Bismarck

Boys’ Rookie of the Year: Weston Lapierre, Killdeer